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Fuel Up For Two-Day Dance Music Festival

It’s time again for San Diego’s biggest dance music festival of the year! CRSSD Festival, the much anticipated annual two-day music “mixperience” event, will take place from March 2nd-3rd at downtown’s Waterfront Park for a weekend extravaganza of warm, sunny days, great music, and good times. Don’t settle for expensive festival food – fuel up for the fun and treat yourself to mouthwatering meals worth the money at these nearby Gaslamp Quarter spots to keep the festivities going all day long!

Dig in for the day ahead with the most important meal of the day at Lazy Hippo. Characterized by its inexorable quirk, whimsical décor and tasty takes on traditional and modern morning eats with healthier ingredient substitutes, Lazy Hippo is your go-to innovative breakfast destination for an unpretentious brunch café experience before the music starts. Fuel up for the day and order up the Breakfast Enchiladas – loaded with scrambled eggs rolled in corn tortillas and topped with green or red salsa, pico de gallo, fresh lettuce and avocado, this breakfast of champions is sure to match your pre-festival fantasies.

Comfort food is key when it comes to conquering CRSSD, and it doesn’t get any better than The Smoking Gun! Promising a revolutionary spin on the neighborhood bar, The Smoking Gun brings a central urban setting and plenty of comfort street food to the plate with Southern flair. Drink in the retro 80s atmosphere and rev up your festival fun with games including ping-pong, shuffleboard and pool! Enjoy frosty craft cocktails paired with share plates and barbecue favorites guaranteed to hit the spot, including the Smoked Brisket Sandwich with tender smoked brisket, smoked gouda, house pickles, caramelized onions, tomatoes, arugula and horseradish cream cradled in herb focaccia bread with a side of savory au jus.

Not to be missed is WhipHand American Brasserie, the newly opened East Village take on the traditional French brasseries with simple food and hearty portions meant to be shared. A true neighborhood spot, locals and visitors alike gather at WhipHand for classic American staples, draft beers on tap and an urban space to enjoy good food, drink and company before you release your inner dancer! Feed your festival fire with the Short Rib Pie A La Biscuit, a piping hot jalapeno and smoked gouda mashed braised short rib pie topped with a cheddar biscuit to curb your heartiest food cravings.

Just minutes away from the festival is The Whiskey House, the Gaslamp’s premier whiskey bar! Recently awarded the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of commercially-available whiskeys, The Whiskey House makes for an awe-inspiring visit for eclectic craft cocktails, draft beers, wine flights and walls of over 2,800 whiskey bottles. Pick your festival grub of choice from their delectable menu of house-made fare specializing in house sausages, fresh ground burgers, exotic cheeses, exquisite charcuterie boards and share plates ranging from Chorizo Mac & Cheese to Vietnamese Wings with fish sauce, lime, cilantro and jalapeno for a kick of heat.

After a long day of dancing, nothing is better than relaxing with a beer in hand. Only a few blocks away is Union Kitchen & Tap, the modern yet rustic eatery bringing laid-back Encinitas vibes to the heart of downtown! Sip from Union’s discerning selection of rotating local craft beers and signature cocktails before sinking your teeth into savory plates including the Blackened Pork Tomahawk with white bean puree, street corn, roasted cauliflower, cotija and cilantro, all to be enjoyed in the unrivaled stylish and comfortable ambiance of this entertainment and dining scene hot spot as a reward for your long day at CRSSD.

On the hunt for great food that will continue the party? Head over to barleymash, the Gaslamp’s fun, high-energy restaurant and bar celebrating the lively downtown lifestyle and the richness of American culture through appetizing and progressive bar fare. Coupled with craft cocktails and an exciting bar atmosphere is a uniquely American dining experience and aesthetic drawing inspiration from the two tasty barroom staples of beer and bourbon. Don’t miss out on the All In Iron Fries, a heart portion of home cut fries topped with pepper jack beer-cheese sauce, fresh chilis, ale-braised pork shoulder, chili-braised short rib and applewood-smoked bacon to end your evening with a bang!

Don’t resign yourself to over-priced festival food this year. Enjoy these nearby restaurant hotspots all weekend long and fuel up for the festival fun at CRSSD!